P.O Box: 26106 Address: Thamel, Kathmandu, Phone: +977 1 5312359 Fax: +977 1 5351070 Email: [email protected]

Tibet: 14d Mount Kailash Trek

Grade: Easy Altitude: 6,656 m.

Highlights: Mount Kailash (the Holy mountain) is claimed to be the apex of the Hindu religion. It is also one of the highest mountains in at 6.700 meters. And Lake Mansarovar lies at 4,556 m above mean sea level, making it the highest fresh-water lake in the world. Certainly, a difficult region to reach due to the variable and extreme weather conditions. The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetan Himalayas. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting places, and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions. Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km (32 mi) long. The distance from is approximately 2000 Km. Only during the last few years have lots of ordinary and not so ordinary travelers, being able to experience this region. Road conditions are difficult much of the time and we have to make much preparation to ensure that we have a reasonable chance of reaching Kailash. We need to bring our own food and camping equipment. As per Chinese regulations, transportation ( 4WD Jeep) and a Chinese/Tibetan guide is a must to hire from /Tibet whereas we will send Nepalese staff for camping and cooking arrangement. All the camping/kitchen gear and food supplies will be brought along from Nepal. The Nepalese kitchen crew will prepare the food of your taste. To travel for days on this remote plateau with the chance encounters of nomads herding their sheep or yaks is to be transformed into another way of life, to see and become a part of such a devout pilgrimage as shown by pilgrims around Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is to put some aspects of our western way of life into proper perspective. We begin the tour by traveling to Kathmandu and departing by road to the Nepal/Tibet border town of Zhangmu where we collect our Transport. We travel by the southern route and after our pilgrimage (religious-secular) we return by the same route).

Day to day:

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu (1303 m) to (Nepal-Tibet border): where we meet the Tibetan/Chinese guide with transport. Drive further 8 km uphill to Zhangmu (2220m) where we will have to completer the Chinese immigration and custom formalities. Drive further to Nyalam for overnight stay.

Day 02: Rest at Nyalam for acclimatization. : Nyalam, traditionally known as Tsongdu is a small Tibetan town near the Nepal border. It is the county seat of in Xigaze Prefecture (part of the historical Tsang Province of the old Tibet). Nyalam is situated at 3,750 metres (12,300 ft) above sea level. A town of stone buildings and tin roofs. Overnight Camp.

Day 03: Drive to SagaThong-La (4990m): Drive to Thong-La (4990m), stop for a while to see the breathtaking views Of Mountain range then driveurs further to Saga via Paiku-Tso. Overnight camp.

Day 04: Saga to Paryang: Drive to Dzongba, stop for lunch and continue to Paryang(4540m) at camp.

Page 1 - Himalayan Leaders Day 05: Paryang to Chiu Gompa: Drive towards Mayum-La (5010m) and continue the drive to Chiu Gompa, on the west bank of Lake Mansarovar where you can have a shower at the hot spring. Overnight camp near Chiu Gompa.

Day 06: Drive to Darchen (4700m). o/n in guesthouse/camp.:

Day 07: Rest at Darchen for acclimatization.:

Day 08: Darchen to Dera puk: Drive to trek-starting point then start the trek around Mt. Kailash (6656 m).Overnight at camp Dera puk at the base of Dolma-La.

Day 09: Dera puk to Zhutul Puk: Trek over the Dolma-La (5600m) then descend for a while and continue to Zhutul Puk. Overnight at camp.

Day 10: Zhutul puk to Hora: Finish the trek and drive to Hora. Camp on the bank of lake Mansarovar.

Day 11: Hora to Parayang: Drive to Parayang via Mayum-La (5010m). Overnight at camp.

Day 12: Parayang to Saga: Drive back to Saga via Dzongba. Overnight at camp.

Day 13: Saga to Nyalam: Drive to Nyalam via Paiku-Tso and Nyalam Thung-La. Overnight hotel.

Day 14: Nyalam to Zhangmu to Kathmandu: Drive to Zhangmu, after finishing the immigration formalities, drive back to Kathmandu

What is included? - Pickup and drop from the international airports in Kathmandu and Lhasa - Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu and Lhasa - Sightseeing with cultural guide around in Kathmandu and Lhasa - All permits and entrance fees in Tibet - Tibet Visa - English speaking Tibetan guide - Yak and Yak men for luggage while trekking to Kailash Kora and inner kora - Full board (3 meals a day) expect Lhasa - Accommodation in hotel / guesthouse and tent during traveling in Tibet - All trekking service like Kitchen, Dining and member tent, all kitchen equipment - Supporting truck - Transport with minibus in Nepal part and in Tibet with Land cruiser - Pension fund , insurance for local staff of Himalayan Leaders

What is excluded? - Nepal visa (30usd and 4 passport photos, available at the airport in Kathmandu)

Page 2 - Himalayan Leaders - Personal expenses and tips for staff - Video camera entrance fee - Travel insurance incase of emergency - Nepal re-entry visa fee - Extra transport or horse in case of road block and any accident - Airfare to and from Kathmandu to your home

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